I remember hearing that a church changed its name from Westminster Prebyterian Church to Greenmeadow Presbyterian Church (or something like that) and thought this was some sort of evidence of some sort of “departure” from the Reformed faith.

Looking back on that, all I can do is plead that I was young and stupid. There is nothing in the Reformed heritage that demands we put yestercentury identifications in our name. More importantly, it is entirely unbiblical to demand such a name as a test of faithfulness, and that in several ways. First, in the NT we find that every church is named after the prominant metropolitan center of the region where it is located. That’s why Paul never wrote a letter to Trinity Presbyterian Church or Washed-in-the-Blood Community Chapel. Second, demanding team identities within the body of Christ is pretty much directly in conflict with Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians (First letter; first chapter) that we not form factions around various names.

Of course, I don’t think it is wrong to come up with a name that distinguishes a congregation from another to avoid confusion. I’m fine with Westminsters and Providences and Trinities etc. But when you judge some label as superior and refuse to change it, I think you are crossing a line.

Which brings up another reason I have to repent: God wants us to perform the content of the Faith, not parade the slogans that associate with great moments in Church history.

I don’t question that our neighbors should embrace the full-orbed faith as it has come to expression in the Reformed heritage. But that may have nothing to do with the Church’s name. Unless we’re content to circulate only Christians through our congregations, it is perfectly reasonable to figure out ways to make a local congregation feel friendlier in the minds of the neighbors. And while I doubt it will make much difference by itself, changing one’s name is worth considering.

In my view, the point of pastoring is to disciple people according to the Word of God. That means in the teaching department we need at least three things: Bible, Bible, and Bible… Actually, perhpas four things because we should have more Bible.

Ideally, I suppose there is some level of Church history that it is good to know. But it is hard for me to judge how much or when it should rate with the other priorities (Bible holding the top ten slots, of course). But because of the geographical mobility of our culture, I think it is important to make sure those who come to us leave with just enough “brand name loyalty” to look for a Reformed congregation as a good sign they will get accurate Biblical teaching. My randomly selected goal when I made such decisions was that, within a year, a new member should be convinced that, if he or she should relocate, a Reformed congregation would be soundest.

Other than that, denominational labels don’t seem to have much importance. And church names after dead guys and their assemblies have none (does anyone think that the Westminster divines aspired to such an honor? Or that they care now?).. I wouldn’t say anyone needs to change from a Westminster or a Knox, but there’s no special theological significance in maintaining such names either.